One dentist offers an explanation. “Why is the State of CA paying prison dentists a lot of money? A few years ago there was an inmate class action lawsuit against the state regarding the dental care being provided in prisons (Perez vs Tilton, et al.)… Apparently the quality of dental care was so bad and the dentists were getting paid so little (compared to private practice), thus the lawsuit and settlement took place… The Perez lawsuit will provide better qualit

Prison dentists in California are paid much more generously than in other states. “I looked online at dept. of corrections jobs around the country,” commented another dentist. “It looks like California pays about 2-3 times as much as anywhere else in the country.” And while the cost of living is higher in California, there’s something more going on here.

Last week we discussed the news that California will lay off a number of prison dentists. This week, we’ll address the reality of being a practicing prison dentist, and why prison dentists in California are paid so much more than in other states.

Many doctors shy away from prison dentistry, assuming that working with inmates would be a nightmare. But an excerpt from a letter seeking dentists for Correctional Dentistry reads, “Our patients are in need of dental care and are the most appreciative patients you will ever have the chance to serve. Most have never had the opportunity to seek dental care until now.”

And many dentists agree that it’s actually a relatively pleasant patient population. “In my experience, inmates are generally among the most cooperative patient demographics I’ve ever worked with,” commented one dentist.

But prison dentistry isn’t for every dentist. “Lots of extractions, exams, amalgams, anterior composites. No dental crowns and dental bridges, no removable dentures, rarely do a root canal (usually extract). The patients are often Hep C+, many are HIV+, etc,” said one doctor. “Some inmates are looking to stir up trouble. However, if you are nice to them, word gets around because a lot of these guys are treated like dirt in the system. There’s a niche to be filled in prison dentistry. It’s not for everyone, but if you can make it work, more power to you.”

And practicing dentistry in a prison is quite different from running a family and general dentistry practice. “The most common mistake of civilian dentists is in trying to over-treat the patients with complex private practice treatment plans,” added another. “Dentists with a military or a public health background are better adapted to correctional dentistry, due to the similarity of the practice model. Remember that resources are limited and you are responsible for the oral health of every inmate in your institution. What you do for one must be done for all.”

Why California is a good state for prison dentists

Prison dentists in California are paid much more generously than in other states. “I looked online at dept. of corrections jobs around the country,” commented another dentist. “It looks like California pays about 2-3 times as much as anywhere else in the country.” And while the cost of living is higher in California, there’s something more going on here.

One dentist offers an explanation. “Why is the State of CA paying prison dentists a lot of money? A few years ago there was an inmate class action lawsuit against the state regarding the dental care being provided in prisons (Perez vs Tilton, et al.)… Apparently the quality of dental care was so bad and the dentists were getting paid so little (compared to private practice), thus the lawsuit and settlement took place… The Perez lawsuit will provide better qualit